Public input key to any plans for expansion and renovation of Atlantic Beach police station

ATLANTIC BEACH | The scope of work for an architectural firm to eventually be hired by the city to evaluate possible expansion and renovation of its police station includes several chances for public input as the design and cost is considered.

The request for proposal approved unanimously by the City Commission Monday calls for a public workshop for the commission and the public to meet with the firm chosen during the proposal process. The final plan, including cost estimates and any non-cost considerations, would also be presented at a public meeting.

Those meetings would be in addition to public hearings and any other discussions among the commission.

Police Chief Mike Classey prepared the request for proposal after the commission’s Nov. 18 workshop in which the board agreed to move forward with exploring the renovation and expansion of the station at 800 Seminole Road. The cramped 6,000-square-foot structure was built in 1987.

The commission late last year agreed to move forward with working on the current facility rather than move it elsewhere.

An architectural firm previously hired by the city recommended a new 14,000-square-foot building at a cost of about $5 million. But that size and cost drew the fire of some residents who questioned the management of the building and the need to spend so much money.

A citizens group appointed by the commission studied the issue in 2012 and recommended that a 9,000-square-foot building be built at the current location along with renovating 2,000 to 3,000 square feet of the existing building. That group estimated the cost at $3.5 million.

The chosen architect will be tasked initially with conducting a physical survey of the existing building and site to evaluate the condition and potential for expansion. That evaluation is to take into consideration any flood plain issues.

While the size of a final remodeled and expanded facility has not been determined, the city wants to spend no more than $1.5 million to $2.5 million for the project, the request for proposal states. About $2.8 million has been set aside for the work.

Other highlights in the scope of work include:

Any expansion would be on the east side of the creek where the current station now sits and must remain within the set 35-foot height limitation. The city desires to protect several large oak trees adjacent to the existing police station.

Either one or two story designs can be considered.

A phased plan would be developed for expansion, to include the cost of moves and temporary facilities if necessary to maintain the department’s daily operations.

-- The architect should consider possible future expansion of the building.

Classey said he expected a final report to be ready in about four months.